WHO Pesticide Evaluation Scheme: "WHOPES"

In 2010, WHO commemorated 50 years of its Pesticide Evaluation Scheme (WHOPES), established with the approval of the World Health Assembly in 1960. For more than half a century, the programme has been serving as a reference for setting norms and standards for public health pesticides and their life-cycle management.

What is WHOPES and what are WHOPES’ objectives?

The WHO Pesticide Evaluation Scheme (WHOPES) was set up in 1960. WHOPES promotes and coordinates the testing and evaluation of pesticides for public health. It functions through the participation of representatives of governments, manufacturers of pesticides and pesticide application equipment, WHO Collaborating Centres and research institutions, as well as other WHO programmes, notably the International Programme on Chemical Safety.

In its present form, WHOPES comprises a four-phase evaluation and testing programme, studying the safety, efficacy and operational acceptability of public health pesticides and developing specifications for quality control and international trade.

WHOPES collects, consolidates, evaluates and disseminates information on the use of pesticides for public health. Its recommendations facilitate the registration of pesticides by Member States.

WHOPES' objectives

to facilitate the search for alternative pesticides and application methods that are safe and cost-effective; and

to develop and promote policies, strategies and guidelines for the selective and judicious application of pesticides for public health use, and assist and monitor their implementation by Member States.